Background, Geographic Area and Location: The Area now constituting Natore zila was a sub-division of the former Rajshahi zila. Nothing is definitely known about the origin of the zila name. In the remote past, the present zila headquarters was within "Chandrabati Beel". There are two views about the origin of the zila name. The first view is that previously the present place of the zila headquarters was neither a high land nor a lowlying area. It was not (means Na in Bangla) high enough for movement on foot (means Tar in Bangla). The other opinion is that the zila might have originated its name from the name of the Norad River which was following by the side of the zila headquarters. It is generally believed that the zila might have derived its name from the above two words.
The zila is bounded on the north by Bogra and Noagaon zilas, on the east by Sirajganj and Pabna zilas, on the south by Pabna and Kushtia zilas and on the west by Rajshahi zila. It lies between 24° 25' & 24° 58' north latitudes and between 88° 01' & 88° 30' east longitudes. The total area of the zila is 1900.19 Sq.km (733.00 Sq. miles) of which 2.44 Sq. km. forest area.
Annual Average Temperature: Maximum 37.8°C, minimum 11.2°C; annual rainfall 1862 mm.
Main Rivers: Ten (10) most noted of which are Atrai, Baral, Narod and Nandakunja. Chalan Beel is notable.
Administration: Natore subdivision was established in 1845 under Rajshahi zila and it was turned into a zila in 1984. The zila consists of 6 upazilas, 52 unions, 1272 mauzas, 1384 villages, 8 paurashavas, 75 wards and 105 mahallas. The upazilas are NATORE SADAR, BAGATIPARA, BARAIGRAM, GURUDASPUR, LALPUR and SINGRA.
Archaeological Heritage and Relics: Natore Rajbari and Dighapatia Rajbari (Uttara Ganabhaban), Dayarampur Rajbari (Bagatipara) and Budpara Kali Mandir (Lalpur).
Historical Events: Indigo resistance movements were held in this zila during 1859 to 1860. During the War of Liberation in 1971 a direct battle was fought between the Pak army and the freedom fighters on 29 March in which about 40 members of the Pak army including Major Aslam and Capt Ishaq were killed.
Marks of the War of Liberation: Mass grave 5, memorial 1.
Main Crops: Paddy, wheat, sugarcane, betel leaf. Extinct or nearly extinct crops are Indigo, Aus and aman paddy.
Main Fruits: Mango, jackfruit, banana, coconut and lichi.
Traditional Transport: Palanquin, horse carriage, bullock cart, buffalo cart. These means of transport are either extinct or nearly extinct.
